While my southern friends are already contending with heat in the 90s and humidity that melts the body away from the soul, in Atqasuk we are experiencing breezes of 16-24 mph and windchills as low as -11F. If Forrest Gump had jogged this far north, I feel certain that he would have said, "Arctic springtime is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you're gonna get."
And he'd be exactly right.
As I look out my window, every day brings something different. Today, swirling snow is gathering up in puffy piles on the window sill and lightly dusting the crusty shell that has formed over our still-frozen ground. Other days (as above) the air is cold, but the sky is clear. Sunshine toasts the rooftops and warms the surface of the snow so that treading upon it produces a little crunch.
On the edge of my roof, just outside my window, a lone snowbird is staging a concert...totally free...for anyone who will listen. I have to smile as he puffs his chest and belts out his lively tune. It's better than any lullaby (or alarm clock) I know.
Aside from ravens, snow buntings are the first birds to return to the North Slope in spring. After months (and months) of silence across the tundra, the song of the snowbird is a welcome sign that break-up is on its way.
Though I've been waking to the cheerful sound of snow buntings for several weeks, the first one that I actually spotted was on a rooftop behind the school. He was too far away for really nice photos, but watching him vigorously enjoying his snow bath was a special treat that made me smile all the way home.
Preen...
Clean...
Pristine!
7 comments:
I miss the snow buntings! We have loads of other signs of spring, but those little birds were speical...
Perfect. And you said you could never get pictures of the little guys.
Great post as always--your terms for southern heat--melting the body away from the soul! perfect. And the snow bunting bath is wonderful. I am traveling now, in Zion NP, UT at the moment, and I am very much aware of missing North Slope Spring! Jay
Trudie...
So do you mean that you don't have snow buntings there? That's too bad, they are precious. :)
Clare...
LOL! Thanks! My odds improved when I started carrying my camera with me AT ALL TIMES. I do wish I had a better zoom, though. I'd love to be able to get really clear photos without having to be so close.
Jay...
Wow! You have really covered some ground this year, huh? When will you join the snowbirds and return to the North Slope?
I have never seen a snow bunting before, I don't think. But I think I would like them. I like things like that that make you smile just by being.
Happy ...Spring? :)
He's beautiful! Until reading your post I didn't realize you hear NO birds at all until it warms up. I can't imagine the silence - the birds here don't seem to know night from day and they sing round the clock. I guess you don't have crickets or frogs making noise either.
I love your blog! I learn something new with every post.
Laurie...
You WOULD love them. And that was a great way of describing it, "things that make you smile just by being..."
I love that!
Sandcastle Momma...
That's right, total silence. And that has its own beauty too, but you know it's been quiet when the cackling sound of a raven makes you turn your head with wonder. Though we don't have frogs and crickets, by mid-June the tundra will be crawling with SO MANY different types of birds that it will sound very much like a pond in the evening. I'm hoping to record it sometime. :)
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